"Time for the Old Reliable."
Lyra worried opens up her suit and jumps down Lyra Anna Fitzroy street ware here grabbing her backpack, she orders the Suit to 'protect' before heading in.
Arlo steps into the ruined box and swings at the one darting shadow, hitting it only once, the Arlo sword biting it's strange substance as the thing darts out
Snobarny: "Now the trick is manipulating the spell to keep them here long enough to place in a stasis field ... or something... we can safely contact our Organization since we've broken up to cells"
Lyra sees it get past Arlo
"SMEG!"
Lyra had slowed and was at the door giving cover with her trusty Auto shotgun now was the time to let rip.
A boom rings out as Lyra shoots at it.
While the enemies are busy with Arlo and Lyra, Terexaltherin looks over them, trying to guess what sort of creature they are and where they could be from.
He also tries to read one of their minds, to see if he can pick up any hints as to their orders or superiors.
Lyra sends to her mech
"Stop it"
The Mech moves,
Azzim nodded to Snobarny, "Yes some sort of modified binding circle ritual perhaps. Terex do you agree? Probably won't last all that long but this is about buying time. I have sufficient salt to form a binding circle, maybe we'll just have to improvise."
Azzim was aware of various binding rituals but these were usually meant to ensnare a planar entity and cast before summoning...
Azzim started pouring a thin ring of salt around the trapped entries from a sack he kept in an extra planar space, chanting strange spidery words as he did so.
Terexaltherin will help out with it.
The mech dispatches the third shadow, which falls into sort of gritty dust.
While Arlo and Lyra keep watch, Azzim and Terex, aided by Snobarny, spend 30 seconding modifying the spells on the two shadows in a way they think will hold for at least a couple hours... and leaves them both helpless yet transportable by teleportation or otherwise.
With that done, you gaze around the Mirsharnian Market. The streets are mostly dark and quiet though occasionally a torch or were-light appears in a window and the muttering of a bargain can be heard in the distance... Snobarny sends ::Where now? Back to Lyra's house or to Livonia's villa? This hideaway is certainly burned and we need a safe location for our interrogation...
I'm not sure I like either of those ideas. Let's see, where else do we have some more disposable safehouses...
Terexaltherin thinks through his knowledge of Organization assets as well as just possibilities the group could make do with for a couple hours on their own, maybe even a quick trip to another plane.
"Not our home, sorry, its the office or some other place"
She sends to Terexaltherin
So, Terex remembers a deserted dance-hall in the Azure District, that The Organization scouted a while back. After a short discussion, the party teleports there along with the two now frozen shadows and finds a large dressing room on the side of the silent, mirrored-walled main ballroom... Dust covers everything but can be removed with the smallest magic...
Snobarny says, "Now things get interesting... Can we unfreeze them enough to interrogate? Are there psionics who can riffle these diabolical minds? Perhaps some magic?" Belying his mild appearance, the were-dog looks eager to start...
What, do you think we're some kind of amateurs, that we'd bind them without a way to interrogate them efficiently? Terexaltherin asks rhetorically. The side-content of his telepathy makes it clear he's joking around. ...Okay actually we're pretty much making it up as we go along, but we should be able to manage something, right Azzim?
Let's see... if we could tunnel my telepathy through the stasis... I could maybe connect to a mind and *just* a mind, we could unfreeze that part... let's give it a try!
Azzim struck a note of caution "If we've caught what we think we've caught then even mental contact could be risky. Still its likely our best option, I doubt magics such as Zone of Truth or an inquisitor's Interrogation spell would phase it. Still there are things I can try to stack the cards in our favor."
Azzim invoked a simple blessing on Terex that ought to shield him from any attempt at possession. .
In addition he thought of whether additional security protocols where required.
When Terex was ready, Azzim made a strange gesture as he looked at Terex as he attempted to manipulate the fates through sheer force of will.
Though focus and concentration, protected by Azzim's spells, Terex is able to establish communication through the stasis field in about half an hour. In reply to an initial inquiry, he hears back "Greetings friend. We seem to have experienced a bit of misunderstanding but hopefully we can rectify this. Our intentions were actually quite benevolent in following you. We believe your friend "GIFT" is in trouble and we share a mutual interest in saving her. That item you carry is the key. With a bit of examination, we could determine how to proceed..."
Snobarny comments, "I think we mostly want to know how much they know so we can rearrange our operations to dodge their snooping. Perhaps we can trick more information of them but it is an extremely dangerous game..."
"Yes, that's worth trying Snobarny. As for its claim, I think Gift is more than big enough and bad enough to look after herself now. Still later I will attempt a divination to see if there is any truth to this..." replied Azzim.
To Terex he suggested, "Maybe play along with it, see what else it will reveal?"
Lyra orders her mech back home to the hanger. And follows the others.
Once the interaction starts stands to one side keeping an eye out with her weapon ready.
Yeah, I was thinking of playing along for a bit, Terexaltherin replies to the rest of the team. Let's see what I can get out of them.
He returns his thoughts to the captive being. Oh no! What's going on with Gift? And how could anything I have help?
She held her tongue to herself as they talk of Gift, but she like the others does not believe they are telling the truth but why. Gift had chosen her path, but how did they know about her? that was the questions.
The entities seem to chuckle, "This much we give you for free, anything more you will have to bargain for. What can you offer?"
Terexaltherin feigns surprise. I thought you said you had a mutual interest in helping Gift? Why would we need to bargain for something you have a mutual interest in seeing happen?
At the same time, he tries to delve a bit deeper into their mind.
The frozen entity hesitates for only seconds (but it's enough)and then chuckles "A mutual interest in helping your friend just means that you reason to think we would do this. Everything we do do is for a price..."
The diabolical entities are feeling a bit worried. They fear retaliation by their master, Fluenmuello, more than anything but they also now are worried by Azzim and Terex' feat of freezing them on this plane - being dissolved and returning to Tartarus would be much preferable at this point to being trapped in Sigil indefinitely...
And the entities are considering their real mission - to discover whoever "Gift's" comrades are by following the emanations of the coded crystal which Fluenmuello observed deployed as "Gift" absorbed Tz’z`z`z'... (As a powerful devil, Fluenmuello has strong powers of observation)...
The dwarven paladin draws The Arlosword.
"And the price for your continued existence is your cooperation."
Azzim's thoughts were interrupted by Arlo's frankly terrifying promise. He considered for a long moment before a feral grin crept across his features.
::Terex tell them we noticed the Lady of Pain walking down town and are preparing to drop them off frozen in her path, or at least the path of her shadow. From what I understand the typical duration of one of her mazes is on the order of a century...::
Lyra chuckles herself as her husband goes full whuuup-AA^As, but keeps herself to herself, she is giving nothing away. They would get nothing out of her and her Impregnable Mind.
They're definitely sent by Fluenmuello, and they're much more afraid of being held in stasis than death, Terexaltherin reports to the others. We were right about the crystal being how Fluenmuello's tracking us--it's not his, but he saw enough of it to track it, as far as they understand.
He turns his thoughts back to their captives. Let's quit pretending here. You're some of Fluenmuello's minions, and we're not fooled by any stories about Gift being in trouble. So where is Fluenmuello? If he wants us so badly maybe it's time we met again.
He continues reading surface thoughts, wary of any lies or half-truths.
The entities seem show real fear at Arlo's display of the Arlo-sword, as if it could threaten either their dissolution or their absorption into the holy relic itself...
Their telepathy comes a bit more haltingly...
Very well... we will bargain, we can offer information on Fluenmuello, his plans and his weaknesses. He works ceaseless to maintain the empires that Tz’z`z`z' abandoned and has a nerve center for this purpose, his situation with his superiors is precarious... But first, best find magic to enforce truth in the discussion. If you understand our kind, you understand that this may be the only way you can trust us...
Terexaltherin passes this latest information along to the rest of the group. What do we have in the way of truth-enforcing magic? I don't trust them even *with* that magic, but at least with it they'll think we'll believe things. We'll have to be very, very careful about exact words, though.
"Nothing prepared. Honestly I don't know how effective such magics would be on such a powerful entity..." replied Azzim.
He considered if such simple magics as Zone of Truth could somehow be made to stick.
"Yeah. The Dwarf Father can give me zone of truth tomorrow", Arlo adds.
So, as the deserted dance hall becomes something of ad-hoc headquarters, Arlo prepares the spell as Terex and Azzima carefully maintain the binding spells while Lyra and Snobarny maintain the perimeter...
Once the spell is prepared, the entities drop their spell resistance and accept the effects of the spell...
Then they send: ::Our price: we will answer your questions fully and you then dispatch us back to Hell with an ordinary weapon... (IE, not the Arlo Sword).
::So, the story we can offer you is this, after the insect Tzzzz was absorbed, Fluenmuello was able to observe that the absorbing creature was an entity known as G.I.F.T.. who somehow implanted the bearded one with a message stone. Fluenmuello being high and mighty couldn't be bothered to follow up on this lead direct and instead returned to his control-center planet where he's working ceaselessly to re-establish control of the several hundred worlds Tzzzz abandoned. We can guest only what the crystal contained or why this G.I.F.T sent it to you. We assume you are allies and it may have contained key information about those worlds... (They go on to describe the describe the security on Fluenmuello's command planet and other things on request. They are actually quite contemptuous of Fluenmuello - as all devils are of each other)
Terexaltherin is willing to accept the deal. He'll ask as much about Fluenmuello's defenses and assets as he can get.
They wanted to be sent back to the hells, Lyra loaded solid shot in her Auto shotgun, ready to do just that.
The entities give the party a detailed rundown of Fluenmuello's planet as well as what he/it is doing in defending the many realms of T'zzzzz. As they run through it, it seems credible but they admit the security procedures will likely change on a regular basis, the combinations and passwords they share are worth little (but the general outline could still be used). On the other hand, the information on Fluenmuello's plans seems useful regardless... Yet perhaps Fluenmuello mislead these entities before sending them out? Still, the information might be worth passing on with a note of extreme caution. And the entities answer other questions also . Finally, it comes time to honor the bargain and dispatch them...
Snobarny comments "Well, this is a dilemma, two urgent tasks, at least. Also, who knows what further manipulation and the potential of being tracked again...
Change mag
Job done.
Once Lyra had dispatched them, Azzim remarked "It seems to me they've all rather underestimated Gift. Under those layers of encryption, I have a feeling that crystal contains something big. Given the way time flow is relative in her domain, she's had a very long time to plan whatever it is that she's up to. I say we travel to that plane Lyra mentioned and find out what's really going on."
Azzim looked around to see if there was agreement.
Arlo looked at the smear that once was. "If we can find it", the dwarf adds.
"The Madelainreat Mechicum, then? Should be an interesting visit. Get ready to break rules 'cause there are so many we won't have a choice...Let me think. We'll each need an android or mechanoid alt, traders, craftpeople, soldiers... " He pauses, scratching his chins and then idly scratching himself with his hind legs a bit... "We have access to inter-planetary probes, am I right Lyra? I have the tuning fork for Mordlum, Madelainreat's satellite. It's not even well know that Madelainreat is carved in the solid heart of a cold, brown dwarf. I can give the gravitational and other adjustments needed. We'll be penetrating several security system but I or Terex should be able to deal with 'on the fly' so to speak. We'll aim for a security depot and should be able obtain credentials. We'll all need powered space suits and similar gear, of course. How's this sounding so far?"
Lyra nodded.
"I can help with the cover alts, A ninite injection with return any scans done on you as Biomechanical, A small Bio-neural-lace implant will give you a level of connectivity to local amenities, and a link to the local net. I will add in a in-eye map HUD so we don't get lost. It will be limited connection, I want a firewall cut off so we don't get back hacked. Or you can have a PDA doing the same thing."
She takes hers out to show them, then checks an inventory on it.
"As for the orbital probes I have a number and we can planshift any we need into orbit. And that key will let me copy local ids as needed. Once I am back at the lab, I can get them sorted."
Azzim added "As it happens, I have memorised a group planar adaptation spell, between that and EVA suits I expect we'll be able to survive well enough."
So, Lyra assembles the probes and she and Snobarny discuss the most appropriate probe and on one with an interior like a mid-sized yacht. Snobarny makes adjustment for the plane's particular physics...
So, with the entering of coordinates and the flipping of switch, the vessels shifts into a fast orbit around Mordlum and begins a spiraling to path towards the Madelainreat security depot. The stars and nebulas of the area are dense and breathtaking. Strange machines can be distantly seen moving and building bridges between the stars, reinforcing the impression of a clockwork universe...
As you descend you note a couple bright blue and white lights below to the leeward - closer to the plane. Snobarny remarks, "Pirates, I think. This ship can likely evade them but we might open channels to get some information..."
Lyra installed her suit in teh cargo bay, with tools and a small lab.
She powered up the CUP system and linked it to the ships comms.
Lyra flow the ship, checking their flight path.
As the parents came into scanning range, She activates comms,
"Who would like to talk to them, use the mic there, red button to activate."
A sad smile on his face, Arlo taps the red button for the mic.
"Hello, little girl. How much time has passed for you here?"
The com system activates, Arlo speaks, and grainy image appears on the screen along with an amused whiskey voice.. The face would be beautiful if it wasn't scared and marked with gray blotches... and it's familiar... Andreecha, the pirate scorch of Žemėia. How could she not have perished with that world and what could she be doing here? Of course, even then there were rumors of her off-world origins but still.
Andreecha smiles in front of a synthetic background of tropical fish chasing small dragons. "Arlo! Fancy the failed hero of my old stomping grounds appearing here. What have you been up to? Or may I say, what are you in the market for? Simple passage will quite a few credits but for old friends, I might able to make a deal. But I might interest you in a variety of information products... none legal on the surface, naturally" She pauses. "Also, you do remember our one night Belbalew, it's hard to imagine we'll never see that Island again..."
Lyra looks very hard at her Husband.
and mouths "one night Belbalew??"
But leaves it at that, letter her jealousy stue till later
Snobarny watches the com screen with the rest of the party and send over privates messaging ::Could very useful if we trust this person. I'll send all of you a list of tools, addresses and officials that we're interested in. I'll note which items we could ask anyone for and which we should keep secret since they show what we're really after. So sound them out. They knew you before the Organization. Naturally we'll keep it that way. Ideally, we're scholars researching something. In a way we are...
Andreecha smiles in front of a synthetic background of tropical fish chasing small dragons. "Arlo! Fancy the failed hero of my old stomping grounds appearing here. What have you been up to? Or may I say, what are you in the market for? Simple passage will quite a few credits but for old friends, I might able to make a deal. But I might interest you in a variety of information products... none legal on the surface, naturally" She pauses. "Also, you do remember our one night Belbalew, it's hard to imagine we'll never see that Island again..."
"By Moradin's beard! Andreecha?! Is that really you?"
Feeling the eyes of his beloved wife on him, Arlo doesn't go into details. "Um, ah. Simple passage will be fine. Thank you." Arlo coughs.
Azzim raises an eyebrow at this unexpected encounter but for now feels inclined to mostly observe, sending the mental equivalent of a nod over the link to Snobarny. Still he considers Andreecha's words, trying to work out of there's any hidden agenda.